If you were born and raised in Tuscany, you have a head start when it coes to a natural sense of beauty and aesthetics. Endless avenues are lined with noble wineries. Cypress trees point to the sky, and the hills appear soft and endless. Sangiovese grapes grow innocently on the vines until they transform into Chianti wine.
In the midst of this UNESCO world-class cultural landscape lies the MC Riding Club, owned by Melissa Cipriani. The daughter of racehorse-loving parents has turned their former training center into a Tuscan experience for equestrians. “I love the region I grew up in,” she says, “and how better to introduce it to visitors, in a sustainable way, than on horseback.”
The club is small and refined, with horse breeds as international as its guests: AustrianHaflingers, American Appaloosas, a KWPN warmblood, Friesians, Spanish, and Argentinian horses. All good-natured and well-trained. But before guests can mount up and enjoy their ride, it’s time to groom, and tack up. The stable buzzes with activity, and nothing is more important than a smooth workflow. Everything needs to be instantly accessible, from grooming tools to legwraps, saddles, and bridles. The prerequisite for this, of course: order.
Order as a Life Mission
Sabrina Balsamo has made it her life’s mission to ensure just that. The first people she probably made very happy with her passion were her parents. “Even as a child, I was fascinated by organised and aesthetically pleasing spaces. My bedroom was basically my first workplace,” she recalls. As she got older and her circle of influence expanded, word of her skills spread. And so, a favorite hobby turned into a passionate profession. Today, wine merchants, interior design shops, and private homes across Italy are among her clients; and now, so is a riding stable.
“Horses are aesthetic animals, and the well-kept stables and inviting paddocks made it easy for me to get involved, even though this was new territory for me professionally,” she says regarding her first impression upon arrival. It’s also a new experience for stable owner Melissa, working with a professional organiser. The entire stable team is ready to assist with the sorting and rearranging. Everyone is excited about the experiment - and the results.
“People take better care of a space when they find it beautiful.”
But how do you approach it? “I need to feel what matters to the people in their environment. That’s what I’ve learned over the years,” Sabrina explains. “And here, it’s not just about the stable but also the guests who want to feel comfortable from the start.” This realisation leads to a spontaneous change of plan. The tack room isn’t the first target of the makeover; instead, it’s the reception office. This office space takes up a lot of room. Space that has no real function.
The idea: a restructure. A lounge area at the front, a desk for the manager, and paperwork at the back. This way, guests can relax with acoffee while formalities are taken care of. A sofa,armchairs, and a selection of horse-themed books invites them to take a seat. Trophies and photos from the racing days are stylishlyarranged by Sabrina into an elegant display. And instead of working at two desks, Melissa now uses just one. Somehow, that makes a lot more sense.
The Tack Room needs to move
The tack room doesn’t escape major changes either. In fact, it doesn’t even get to stay where it is. Another room is larger and makes more logistical sense.
The large wooden chest gets to move along with it, stylishly hiding any last traces of disorder, at least in theory. Treats and leather care products find a home in a decorative wall cabinet. The unused wallspace under the bridle and halter racks is enhanced by Sabrina with a bench, perfect for cleaning tack without misplacing browbands or nosebands. The small trash can isn’t just a necessary evil but a charming style element.
Even a vase with flowers finds a place in the tack room. “You might think flowers don’t belong in a tackroom with all the hustle and bustle. But people actually take better care of a space when they find it beautiful,” Sabrina explains. This also means minimising visual clutter. Bulky grooming kits, for example, can disappear behind a pretty curtain, striking a balance between accessibility and aesthetics.
The result of the makeover has left everyone stunned, especially Melissa: “I never would have thought such significant changes could be made in so little time, transforming both the first impression and the overall feel of our club for the better.”
Order and Aesthetics to try at your stable
1.
Don’t make your tack room a storage closet, make it a feel-goodspace. Peoplewho enjoy spending time there will naturally keep it tidy. Seating and some items ofdécor make a big difference.
2.
Thinknot just practically, but beautifully. An old wooden chest from a flea market looks far more elegant, more refined, than a plastic bin from a hardware store. Apicture, a mirror, or some flowers instantly upgrade the tack room.
3.
Repurpose decorative items you already have, like old gift boxes, to store small gear like plaiting bands, and other equipment that doesn’t belong in a grooming kit.
4.
Matching colours, shapes, sizes, and materials are calming to the eye. Uniform tack lockers, grooming kits, and saddle/bridle hooks contribute to a stylish look. Of course, this is easier to achieve in a private barn than in a livery yard.
5.
For feed, treats, and similar products, choose attractive packaging, if the contents are the same.
6.
Cleanliness is key. Keep your cleaning tools, such as a broom, spray bottle, cloths, and disinfectant, in a dedicated, easy-to-reach spot. Choose items in matching or complementary colours to maintain visual harmony and elevate your stable’s aesthetic. When tools are both beautiful and accessible, they’re more likely to be used, and less likely to go missing.
